Metal fabric, particularly adapted for use in bracelets



March 3,1936. A s BL CK NT N 2,032,831

METAL FABRIC, PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN BRACELETS Filed July 8, 1935 Patented Mar. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METAL FABRIC, PARTICULARLY anar'ran FOR USE IN BRACELETS Application July 8, 1935, Serial No. 30,333

8 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in metal fabrics, particularly adapted for use in bracelets.

While many especially non-precious metal fabrics have been used particularly in bracelets adjacent the skin, they have tended to become corroded in use by the usually alkaline, often acid, sweat and other skin excretions to become green or yellow in use and in due course of time wear through and in addition stain the skin.

An object of my invention is to provide a fabric particularly adapted for use in making bracelets with an inner surface or covering constructed of resistant plasticized composition material to protect the metal fabric orbracelet from the action of the skin and the skin from the fabric and I preferably employ a plasticized composition material, which is acid and/or alkali resistant so that it will not tarnish or become otherwise dull when contacting the skin and will provide a harder wearing surface and not tend to wear away in use as rapidly as metals. In the preferred form shown, I preferably employ a bracelet of the well-known lazytongs or Carmen type as described in Patent No. 428,447, which were in very large use twentyiive to fifty years ago and which are now coming back in style, comprising sets of front and rear metal links pivotally joined together and the ends thereof to adjacent links and having spring means to normally bring the links thereof into a contracted position in use and to permit expansion thereof both for insertion or removal from the wrist and for the purposes of my invention I have provided covers for each individual rear link adjacent the skin constructed of resistant plasticized composition material preferably one that is alkali and/or acid resistant.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a bracelet constructed in accordance with my invention, the wrist being illustrated in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of a portion of my improved metal fabric in contracted position.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the fabric portion shown in Fig. 2 in extended position.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken through an inverted rear and front link along the line 4-4 of P18. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of my improved cover means for a rear link constructed of acid and/or alkali resistant plasticized composition material. -Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken through a rear link along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 mounted on a rear link.

In the drawing, wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout, l0 generally indicates a metal bracelet constructed in accordance with my invention, including the connector means l2 which may be suitably ornamented if desired as shown at It and the metal fabric l6.

As stated, my invention includes providing cover means or a lining for the inner surface of all parts of the bracelet l0, including the connector means l2 and fabric l6, constructed of resistant plasticized composition material, preferably. one which is acid and/or alkali proof to protect said metal bracelet from the normal corrosive action of the skin. In my preferred embodiment, the cover means includes the composition plate l8 for the connector means and the individual covers 20 for the inner surfaces of the metallic bracelet fabric links l6.

While my invention may be applied to any type of metal bracelet, preferably one which is extensible, it is particularly adapted for use with a metal bracelet of the lazy tongs or "Carmen" type as shown in Patent No. 428,447, issued to L. S. Beals. As shown this type of bracelet comprises sets 22 of metal front and rear links 24 and 26 respectively having means 28 centrally thereof to pivotally join said front and rear links together, means 30 to pivotally secure the ends of each respective link to the ends of the respectively laterally opposite front and rear links of adjacent sets 22, at least some of-said links being hollow and having spring means 32 mounted therein to normally urge said sets of links to contracted position. The inner surfaces of the rear links have mounted thereon the cover means 20, in my improved embodiment preferably constructed of acid and/or alkali resistant plasticized composition material to protect said bracelet or fabric from the normal erosive and corrosive action of the skin. While the covers 20 may be constructed of any suitable type of resistant plasticized composition material, they are preferably constructed of an insoluble phenol formaldehyde intermediate condensation product, such as b'akelite constructed in accordance with the Baekeland Patents No. 942,699, No. 942,700, No. 1,038,475, etc. and additionally rendered acid or alkali proof as may be obtained on the market today, such as by the methods described in Patents 1,209,333, 1,218,146 or otherwise. Alternately I may employ an insoluble urea formaldehyde intermediate condensation product such as plaskon, or other types on the market today, or other resistant plasticired composition material, such as celluloid, rubber, cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, etc.

In the preferred type of lazy-tongs or Carmen fabric shown, the front links 24 comprise sets of rearwardly cupped front metal links having holes 34 centrally thereof and rearwardly cupped rear metal links 24 having holes 38 centrally thereof and in the preferred embodiment shown, cupped recesses 33 projecting from opposite sides thereof intennediate the central holes 34 and 36 and ends thereof. Pivot means 28 ar eprovided extending through said holes 3433 to pivotally join the front and rear links 24 and 24 of each set 22 together, in my preferred embodiment comprising the hollow sleeves 28. I also provide means to normally urge said pivotally connected sets of links to contracted position, and for this purpose in at least some of said links, in my preferred embodiment in all of said links, the coil spring means 32 are provided extending through said hollow pivot means 28, said coil spring means 32 having the front end 46 thereof projecting substantially tangentially therefrom to abut the inner wall 48 of each front link and the rear end 49 thereof projecting substantially tangentially therefrom in the opposite direction to abut the inner cupped wall 50 of each rear link 26 to normally urge said sets of links 22 to contracted position. Means such as the pivot pins 30 are provided to pivotally secure the ends of each respective link to the ends of respective laterally opposite front and rear links of adjacent sets. The covers 52 having the central holes 34 therein are provided as the rear surface of each front link 24 and are secured to the cupped side walls thereof underneath said spring ends 46, and in my preferred embodiment have the hollow pivot sleeves 28 formed as an integral part thereof to extend downwards through said holes 36 in the rear links to within said rear links 26 exterior of the coil springs 32, and as stated the covers 20 are provided for the rear surface of each rear link underneath its respective spring end 49 and in accordance with my invention are constructed of resistant plasticized composition material, preferably one which is acid and/or alkali resistant to resist the erosive and corrosive effect of the skin on the non-precious metal of the bracelet. In my preferred embodiment, the covers 20 are provided with the projections 54 to fit into said recesses 38 to more completely fill out the rear surface of said fabric. However, if desired the recesses 33 and cooperating projections 54 may be dispensed with. The lower ends of the side walls of said rear links 26 are rolled against and preferably over the side walls of said covers to secure said composition covers to the side walls of said cupped rear links below said spring ends 49.

To additionally retain the covers 20 within said rear links, I may, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, provide them with the lug means 53 projecting laterally from the lower surface of each side thereof, whereby the side walls 56 of said rear links 24 rolled over said cover ing means may supplementally assist in seciu'ing said covers to the side walls of said cupped rear links.

It is apparent therefore that I have provided a novel type of lining for the inner surface of a metal fabric or bracelet constructed of a material having longer wearing qualities than is present in a sheet metal article and one which will positively not be affected, eroded, corroded. or

, discolored in any manner by the erosive and corrosive action of the skin, thereby positively insulating the skin from the metal of the bracelet or fabric and one which will positively not stain the skin, it being apparent that a metal fabric in a bracelet is subjected to a large amount of wear as the wrist moves around so rapidly in the normal movements of the human being.

It is apparent t I have provided a novel type of metal fa ric and bracelet with the advantages described above.

It is understood that m invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: a

1. A lazy-tongs fabric for use inbracelets or other metal articles adapted for use adjacent the skin, comprising sets of rearwardly cupped front metal links having holes centrally thereof and rearwardly cupped rear metal links having holes centrally thereof and cupped recesses projecting from opposite sides thereof intermediate said central holes and ends thereof, hollow pivot means extending through said holes to pivotally join the front and rear links of each set together, coil spring means for at least some of said links, each extending within said hollow pivot means having the front end projecting substantially tangentially therefrom to abut the inner cupped wall of each front link and the rear end thereof projecting substantially tangentially therefrom to abut the inner cupped wall of each rear link to normally urge said sets of links to contracted position, means to pivotally secure each end of each respective link to the end of each respectively laterally opposite front and rear link of adjacent sets, a cover for the-rear surface of each front link secured to the cupped side walls thereof under said spring end and a 'cover for the rear surface of each rear link secured to the cupped side walls thereof under said spring end constructed of acid and/or alkali resistant plastlcized composition material and hav ing projections thereon to fit into said recesses and having lug means projecting laterally from the upper surface of each side thereof, the side walls of each rear link being rolled over said cover lug means to secure said composition cover to the side walls of each cupped rear link below said spring end.

2. A lazy-tongs fabric for use in bracelets or other metal articles adapted for use adjacent the skin comprising sets of rearwardly cupped front metal links having holes centrally thereof and rearwardly cupped rea'r. metal links having holes centrally thereof, hollow pivot means extending through said holes to pivotally join the front and rear links of each set together, coil spring means extending within said hollow pivot means in at least some of said links each having the front end projecting substantially tangentially therefrom to abut the inner cupped wall of each front link and the rear end thereof projecting substantially tangentially therefrom to abut the inner cupped wall of each rear link to normally urge said sets of links to contracted position, means to pivotally secure each end of each respective link to the end of each respectively lat-' der said spring end and a cover for the rear surface of each rear link secured to the cupped side walls thereof under said spring end of resistant plasticized composition material, the side walls of each rear link being rolled over said cover to secure said composition cover to the side walls of each cupped rear link below said spring end.

3. A lazy-tongs fabric for use in bracelets or other metal articles adapted for use adjacent the skin comprising sets of rearwardly cupped front metal links having holes centrally thereof and rearwardly cupped rear metal links having holes centrally thereof, hollow pivot means extending through said holes to pivotally join the front and rear links of each set together, coil spring means extending through said hollow pivot means in at least some of said links, each having the front end projecting substantially tangentially therefrom to abut the inner cupped wall of each front link and the rear end thereof projecting substantially tangentially therefrom to abut the inner cupped wall of each rear link to normally urge said sets of links to contracted position, means to pivotally secure each end of each respective link to the end of each respectively laterally opposite front and rear link of adjacent sets, a cover for the rear surface of each front link secured to the cupped side walls thereof under said spring end and a cover for the rear surface of each rear link secured to the cupped side walls thereof under said spring end constructed of acid and/or alkali resistant plasticized composition material, the side walls of each rear link being rolled over said cover to secure said composition cover to the side walls of each cupped rear link below said spring end.

4. A lazy-tongs fabric for use in bracelets or other metal articles adapted for use adjacent the skin comprising sets of rearwardly cupped front metal links having holes centrally thereof and rearwardly cupped rear metal links having holes centrally thereof, hollow pivot means extending through said holes to pivotally join the front and rear links of each set together, coil spring means extending within said hollow pivot means in at least some of said links, each having the front end projecting substantially tangentially therefrom to abut the inner cupped wall of said front link and the rear end thereof projecting substantially tangentially therefrom to abut the inner cupped wall of said rear link to normally urge said sets of links to contracted position, means to pivotally secure each end of each respective link to the end of each respectively laterally opposite front and rear link of adjacent sets, a cover for the rear surface of each front link secured to the cupped side walls thereof under said spring end and a cover for the rear surface of each rear link secured to the cupped side walls thereof underneath said spring end of resistant plasticized composition material and having lug means projecting laterally from the upper surface of each side thereof, the side walls of each rear link being rolled over said cover lug means to secure said composition cover to the side walls of each cupped rear link below said spring end.

5. A metal chain fabric for use in bracelets or other metal articles adapted for use adjacent the skin, comprising rearwardly cupped metal links joined together and covers constructed of acid and/or alkali resistant plasticized composition material seated within the rear ends of said rearwardly cupped links to have the outer surface thereof project rearwardly therefrom to protect said metal links from the normal corrosive action of the skin.

6. A metal chain fabric for use in bracelets or other metal articles adapted for use adjacent the skin, comprising rearwardly cupped metal links joined together and covers of resistant plasticized composition material seated within the rear ends of said rearwardly cupped links to have the outer surface thereof project rearwardly therefrom to protect said metal links from the normal corrosive action of the skin.

'7. A metal bracelet for use adjacent the skin consisting of a chain of rearwardly cupped metal links joined together and connector means for the ends of said chain and covers constructed of acid and/or alkali resistant plasticized composition material seated within the rear ends of said rearwardly cupped links to have the outer surface project rearwardly therefrom and cover means for the rear surface of said connector means to protect said metal links and connector means from the normal corrosive action of the skin.

8. A metal bracelet for use adjacent the skin consisting of a chain of rearwardly cupped metal links joined together and-connector means for the ends of said chain and covers of resistant plasticized composition material seated within the rear ends of said rearwardly cupped links to have the outer surface projecting rearwardly therefrom and cover means for the rear surface of said connector means to protect said metal links and connector means from the normal corrosive action of the skin.

AMOS S. BLACKINTON. 

